Overview

HunterMaclean has successfully represented clients from all facets of the building and construction industry, including owners, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, design professionals, and bonding companies.

Our construction attorneys have expertise in drafting and negotiating construction contracts, and in mediating, arbitrating, and litigating construction-related disputes in both the public and private sectors. Our attorneys also frequently counsel construction-industry clients on issues such as immigration, employment law, occupational health and safety, and financing.

Experience

  • Comprehensive knowledge of construction legal issues: Our attorneys routinely represent clients in construction disputes including differing site condition claims, delay issues, lien claims, private bond claims, and public bond claims under the Federal Miller Act and the State of Georgia’s Little Miller Act.
  • Construction contract drafting and negotiation: In addition to assisting with the actual litigation or arbitration of disputes, our construction attorneys also assist construction-industry clients by drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts that seek to avoid disputes.
  • Occupational safety and health: We have been involved for more than twenty years in providing consultation, advice, defense, and evaluation in the areas of workplace safety and health. This has involved working with certified industrial hygienists, management, employees, and safety personnel in evaluating and upgrading working conditions in numerous locales.
  • Workers’ compensation: Our workers’ compensation attorneys defend employers and insurers against Georgia workers’ compensation claims and Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act claims at the administrative hearing level and through appeal.
  • Employment: We counsel construction companies on using preventative measures to avoid liability under federal and state employment laws. We advise on laws governing employment opportunity/anti-discrimination, employment contracts, employee benefits, wage/hour, reductions in-force, leaves of absence, drug and alcohol testing, unemployment compensation, and immigration and naturalization.
  • Financing and developing: The Firm has a long history of representing major developers of residential and commercial properties throughout the Southeast, including land acquisition, tax advantaged financing, and related issues.
  • Real estate: We represent numerous clients in the acquisition and sale of real estate, performance of due diligence investigations, and land-use planning and zoning.
  • Represented design-build company against public entity in dispute arising from differing site conditions.
  • Represented general contractor in dispute alleging construction defects arising from construction of hotel.
  • Represented numerous owners, contractors, subcontractors, and labor and material suppliers in lien disputes.
  • Represented institutional entity in dispute arising from alleged defects in construction of new university educational building.
  • Represented developer of manufacturing facility from RFP process through drafting and negotiation of multiple construction contracts for facility.
  • Represented developer in construction dispute arising from conversion of historic school building into condominiums.

Publications & Presentations

Publications

Navigating the Fine Print of Construction Contracts

As business in Savannah continues to grow, Christopher “Smitty” Smith discusses the importance of carefully examining construction contracts in this article for Business in Savannah.

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The Power and Pitfalls of Indemnity Clauses in Contracts

Indemnity clauses in contracts are often left with boilerplate language, creating unexpected exposure to liability. Attorney Nick Laybourn discusses the importance of a properly drafted indemnity clause in this article for Business in Savannah.

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Government Relations: The Intersection of Regulation, Public Policy, and Business

HunterMaclean attorney Harold Yellin explains how government relations lawyers can help navigate clients through complex regulatory, legislative, and public policy concerns.

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Georgia Chapter of ALFA's 50-State Construction Law Compendium

Last updated in 2011 by HunterMaclean Attorneys.

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Matt Henderson's Article on Georgia's RRP Rule

Understanding Georgia's Lead Paint Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule

This article gives an overview of Georgia’s Lead Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP) and details where the Georgia rule differs from the Federal EPA rule.

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What Would You Waive in Negotiating a Contract

By HunterMaclean Attorneys, published in June 2003 in Savannah Morning News.

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Presentations

Sector Specific Green Focus: Product Liability, Construction & Real Estate

Presented at the ALFA International Law Practice Group Seminar in Paris, France, on September 24, 2010, by HunterMaclean Attorneys.

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News

HunterMaclean Honored with Fourteen First-Tier Rankings in U.S. News – Best Lawyers® 2022 “Best Law Firms”

HunterMaclean was honored to be recognized with fourteen first-tier rankings in the 2022 edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms.” First published in 1983, Best Lawyers is recognized as one of the oldest and most esteemed peer review guides in the legal profession worldwide.

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HunterMaclean Honored with Eleven First-Tier Rankings in U.S. News – Best Lawyers® 2021 “Best Law Firms”

HunterMaclean was honored to be recognized with eleven first-tier rankings in the 2021 edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms.” The complete list of rankings is published on the U.S. News website.

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HunterMaclean Honored with Eleven First-Tier Rankings in U.S. News – Best Lawyers® 2020 “Best Law Firms”

HunterMaclean was honored to be recognized with eleven first-tier rankings in the 2020 edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms.” The complete list of rankings is published on the U.S. News website.

Read more »

HunterMaclean Honored with Ten First-Tier Rankings in U.S. News – Best Lawyers® 2019 “Best Law Firms”

HunterMaclean, a business law firm with offices in Savannah and Brunswick, was honored to be recognized with ten first-tier rankings in the 2019 edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms.”

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HunterMaclean Honored with Nine First-Tier Rankings in U.S. News – Best Lawyers® 2018 “Best Law Firms”

HunterMaclean was honored to be recognized with nine first-tier rankings in the 2018 edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms.” Best Lawyers is recognized as the oldest and one of the most esteemed peer review guides in the legal profession worldwide.

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HunterMaclean Honored with Eight First-Tier Rankings in U.S. News – Best Lawyers® 2017 “Best Law Firms”

HunterMaclean was honored to be recognized with eight first-tier rankings in the 2017 edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms.” The complete list of rankings is published on the U.S. News website.

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Fifteen HunterMaclean Attorneys Recognized as 2016 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Ten HunterMaclean attorneys were recently selected as 2016 Georgia Super Lawyers and five attorneys as 2016 Rising Stars. The prestigious Super Lawyers honor, awarded annually, represents the top five percent of attorneys in each state in the nation.

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HunterMaclean Honored with Eight First-Tier Rankings in U.S. News – Best Lawyers® 2016 “Best Law Firms”

HunterMaclean was recently honored with eight first-tier rankings in the 2016 edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms.” The complete list of rankings is published on the U.S. News web site.

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Attorneys Christopher H. Smith, Francesca Macchiaverna, and Patrick L. Barkley join HunterMaclean

HunterMaclean is pleased to announce that the firm’s Savannah office has welcomed three new attorneys: Christopher H. “Smitty” Smith, Francesca Macchiaverna, and Patrick L. Barkley.

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20 HunterMaclean Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2016

HunterMaclean, a leading business law firm with offices in Savannah and Brunswick, is pleased to announce that 20 attorneys from the firm were selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2016.

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Georgia CEO: HunterMaclean Marks 135 Years in the Practice of Law

The year 2014 marks the 135th anniversary of HunterMaclean. Lucy Adams from Georgia CEO interviewed Managing Partner Frank Macgill regarding HunterMaclean’s history, areas of expertise, milestone anniversary, and future.

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HunterMaclean Honored with Nine First-Tier Rankings in 2015 Edition of U.S. News - Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” ®

HunterMaclean was recently honored with prestigious first-tier rankings in nine practice areas in the 2015 edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms.” ®

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Fifteen HunterMaclean Attorneys Honored as 2014 Georgia Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Atlanta magazine just announced the top attorneys in the state of Georgia, and 15 attorneys at HunterMaclean were named either Georgia Super Lawyers or Rising Stars.

 

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HunterMaclean Attorneys Selected as Georgia Trend 2013 Legal Elite

HunterMaclean is pleased to announce that Georgia Trend recently honored five HunterMaclean attorneys in the magazine’s annual “Legal Elite” ranking, which recognizes top attorneys in the state of Georgia.

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25 HunterMaclean Attorneys Selected for The Best Lawyers in America® 2014

HunterMaclean is pleased to announce that 25 lawyers from the firm were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2014.

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HunterMaclean Attorneys Honored as Georgia Super Lawyers, Rising Stars

Nine HunterMaclean attorneys were recently recognized as Georgia Super Lawyers. Two of the firm’s partners were also named Rising Stars.

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Firm Partner Chris Phillips Inducted Into American Board of Trial Advocates

Chris Phillips was recently inducted into the American Board of Trail Advocates, a national association of trial lawyers and judges

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HunterMaclean Honored with First-Tier Rankings in 2013 Edition of U.S. News - Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms”

Nine HunterMaclean practices were recognized by U.S. News & World Report/Best Lawyers withFirst-Tier rankings.

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28 HunterMaclean Attorneys Among 'Best'

HunterMaclean, a business law firm with offices in Savannah and Brunswick, has announced that 28 lawyers from the firm were selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2013.

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